About Philip Carey Company and the Rapid-American Trust
Philip Carey Company was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1888 and became one of the largest manufacturers of asbestos-containing building products in the United States. Over its history, Philip Carey manufactured asbestos roofing products (shingles, felt, built-up roofing), pipe and block insulation, and other asbestos building materials that were widely distributed to contractors and building material dealers across the country.
Philip Carey pipe insulation and roofing products were used at the same types of industrial and commercial facilities where other major asbestos brands were specified. Insulators who applied Philip Carey pipe covering at refineries, power plants, and chemical plants faced significant fiber exposure, as did roofers who applied Philip Carey roofing materials.
Rapid-American Corporation, a conglomerate controlled by businessman Meshulam Riklis, acquired Philip Carey and thereby assumed its substantial asbestos product liability. As the asbestos litigation wave intensified, Rapid-American Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1991. The Rapid-American Trust was established through the bankruptcy reorganization to compensate victims of Philip Carey asbestos exposure. The trust continues to accept and process new claims.
Trust Fund Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Trust Name | Rapid-American Corporation Asbestos Trust |
| Predecessor Company | Rapid-American Corporation (parent of Philip Carey Company) |
| Philip Carey Products | Roofing shingles, built-up roofing, roofing felt, pipe insulation, block insulation |
| Bankruptcy Filing | 1991 |
| Payment Percentage | Variable; contact attorney for current rate |
| Primary Exposure Trades | Insulators, roofers, pipefitters, construction workers |
| Claim Types Accepted | Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural disease |
Your attorney will obtain current scheduled values and payment percentages from the trust, as these may be adjusted periodically to ensure adequate funds for all anticipated future claimants.
Who Is Eligible to File with the Rapid-American Trust?
Eligibility is based on documented exposure to Philip Carey asbestos products and a qualifying disease diagnosis.
Eligible occupations and exposure scenarios:
- Insulators and pipe covering mechanics who applied Philip Carey pipe insulation at industrial facilities
- Roofers who applied Philip Carey roofing shingles, felt, or built-up roofing products
- Pipefitters and steamfitters who worked alongside Philip Carey insulation installations
- Construction workers at refineries, power plants, and chemical plants where Philip Carey products were used
- Maintenance workers who disturbed or removed Philip Carey insulation or roofing materials
- Workers at Philip Carey manufacturing facilities
Qualifying diagnoses: mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural conditions.
How to File a Rapid-American Trust Claim
- Consult a mesothelioma attorney: Your attorney will review your work history to identify Philip Carey product exposure at specific job sites and time periods.
- Exposure documentation: Evidence linking your work to Philip Carey products is compiled, including facility records, co-worker affidavits, and product identification databases.
- Medical documentation: Pathology report and diagnosis records are assembled.
- Claim submission: The attorney submits the claim to the Rapid-American Trust administrator.
- Review and payment: The trust reviews the claim and pays at the applicable rate upon approval.
Can You File Other Claims at the Same Time?
Yes. Philip Carey products were sold alongside competing brands at the same industrial and commercial construction projects. Insulators who used Philip Carey pipe insulation typically also encountered Manville, Pittsburgh Corning Unibestos, Kaylo (Owens Corning), and other insulation brands at the same job sites. All applicable trust claims can be filed simultaneously, together with any lawsuit against solvent defendants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Philip Carey Company was a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of asbestos roofing products, insulation, and building materials founded in 1888. It was one of the first companies to commercially produce and market asbestos products in the United States, and its pipe insulation and roofing products were used at industrial, commercial, and residential projects nationwide for decades. Philip Carey was acquired by Rapid-American Corporation, whose bankruptcy led to the establishment of this trust.
Rapid-American Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1991 as a direct result of the asbestos liability it had inherited through its ownership of Philip Carey Company. The trust was established through the reorganization proceeding to ensure that all past, present, and future victims of Philip Carey asbestos exposure would be compensated.
Yes. Insulators and construction workers whose careers exposed them to multiple insulation brands are typically eligible to file with multiple trusts simultaneously. The Manville Trust, Pittsburgh Corning Trust, Owens Corning OC Subfund, and Rapid-American Trust can all be filed at the same time if your work history supports exposure to each. Your attorney will identify all applicable trusts and file them concurrently.
Yes. Survivors and estate representatives of deceased workers who were exposed to Philip Carey asbestos products may file wrongful death claims with the Rapid-American Trust. The documentation requirements are the same as for a living claimant, and an attorney can manage this process on behalf of the family.